12.1-41-17. Eligibility for benefit or service

12.1-41-17. Eligibility for benefit or service 1. A victim is eligible for a benefit or service available through the state, including compensation under chapter 54-23.4, regardless of immigration status. 2. A minor who has engaged in commercial sexual activity is eligible for a benefit or service available through the state, regardless of immigration status. 3. As soon as practicable after a first encounter with an individual who reasonably appears to law enforcement to be a victim or a minor who has engaged in commercial sexual activity, the law enforcement agency shall notify the victim services division of the department of corrections and rehabilitation that the individual may be eligible for a benefit or service under the law of this state. 4. For purposes of this section, "a benefit or service available through the state" does not include a benefit or service of a program administered by the department of health and human services using federal or special funds, if the victim or minor does not meet program eligibility requirements including an eligibility requirement that is based on immigration status.